Is a Leaky Gut to Blame for Your Insomnia?

The terms, intestinal permeability and intestinalhyperpermeability might seem a bit foreign to some, but “leaky gut” is becoming a much more common household name for both of these conditions.

So what exactly happens when you have a leaky gut? Basically, it means that the area of the gut that controls what passes through your intestinal lining isn’t working properly. The result is a heightened immune response, which can lead to a number of health issues, including sleep disturbance.

In addition, the pain associated with inflammation (such as headaches, an upset stomach and even nerve pain) can further disrupt sleep.

Due to the effect a leaky gut can have on digestion and the body’s immune response, higher cortisol levels are also common with this condition. The increase of this stress hormone throughout the body can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

What causes a leaky gut?A leaky gut is often a symptom of food sensitivity. It’s important to note that food sensitivity is not the same as having a food allergy. Food allergies often cause an immediate reaction in the body, whereas food sensitivities can have a slower and more subtle effect that can linger for longer.

Do I have a leaky gut?** In addition to sleep disturbance, other symptoms of leaky gut include:**

Blood tests can check for inflammation, but they can’t necessarily diagnose a leaky gut. However, there are tests that are available to help detect certain food sensitivities. You can even get home testing kits that require a simple finger prick.

These testing kits will check for IgG antibodies to common foods so you can learn precisely which foods you may be sensitive to.

What to do if you have a leaky gut?** If you know which foods you are sensitive to, you can simply eliminate those foods from your diet. If you’re unsure, you can remove common culprits such as:**

You can also increase your consumption of foods that are thought to be anti-inflammatory, such as:

Fish

Berries

Olive oil

Leafy green vegetables

Tree nuts (no peanuts!)

If you feel that a leaky gut may be to blame for your insomnia, speak with your doctor. By directly treating the underlying cause of a leaky gut, the associated symptoms can be addressed relatively quickly.

If no underlying cause can be determined, a gastroenterologist trained in nutrition can help you come up with a diet plan to help reduce leaky gut symptoms and improve your sleep.

Martin is the creator of Insomnia Land’s free sleep training for insomnia. His online course will help you address your lack of sleep. Over 4,000 insomniacs have completed his course and 97 percent of graduates say they would recommend it to a friend.

Martin is the creator of Insomnia Land’s free insomnia sleep training. His online course uses CBT techniques to teach participants how to sleep better without relying on sleeping pills. More than 5,000 insomniacs have completed his course and 97 percent of graduates say they would recommend it to a friend.